The Osceola times., 1887-03-26
THE NATIONAL DRILL.

The Gathering OF the Militia From All Sec
tions OF the Country to Participate In the
National Competitive Drill at Washing
ton An Assured success-The Prepara-
tions for the accommodation of soldiers
and Civilians.
WASHINGTON, March 2l.-The National
drill commencing here on May % and end
ing on the 3)th OF that month-Decoraton
Day-with the grand combination parade
Of the National Guardsmen and the Grand
Army of the Republic, is no longer an ex-
permental affair, but fixed and assured
success, both in the unequaled crowds oil
excursionists and visitors from civil Iie
sure TO be drawn here by its varied feat
ures. Details of the distribution OF
ss6500 in cash prizes, besides stands OF
colors, gold and silver and bronze
medals and special medals and plate
trophies, have already been mentioned in
these dispatches. Thirty-six States are
represented in the applications already
received and letters have been received
from the Governors of sixteen States, IN
reply to a circular sent out asking their
views as to the utility of the encampment
and drill and as TO their interest in the re-
view on Governors day. Singular
unanimity of approval Of the subject and
of the Governors day feature OF the drill
marked these letters, most of them bear
ing strongly upon the National aad
fraternal spirit in which the drill has been
conceived and managed.
The grounds for the camp are the mon
ument grounds lying around the wash
ington monument, and the drill ground is
the beautiful level ellipse, lying just south
of the Presidents mansion, known as the
''white lott This level plain, one-half a
mile In circumference, will be fenced in,
and stands sufficient to seat from thirty
to thirty-ive thousand persons will be
erected. Here. during the time of the drill,
VIII be held daily contests 10 prove the
excellence of the citizen soldiery in in
fantry, artillery, cavalry aud zouave tao
tics
Cadet corps of military schools will also
drill for prizes; and bands and drum-corps
will be in attendance fromthe North, South,
East and West Each evening there will
be a grand brigade dress parade, and on
Governors Day, and Memorial Day, the
entire army corps from camp. George
Washington" will make public parades
upon the broad avenues of the National
Capital Nothing like this drill has so
agitated the people of Washington for
years, and from all parts OF the country
come reports that the flower Of the citizen
soldiery are coming, and with these VIII
come throngs of civilians.
A bureau of information and comfort
has been organized, and visitors need fear
neither lack of accommodations nor ex-
| tortion for it.
Among the champion crack companies
so far formally entered are the Montgom-
| cry Greys, Vicksburg Southrons, st. Paul
Company ID, Indianapolis Light Infant
ry, San Antonio Rifles, Richmond Greys,
Milwaukee Light Horse, Atlanta Rifles,
Company Il, Twenty-third New York reg
iment, Lomax Rifles, the Muscatines of
Iowa, the famous Houstons, the Chicka-
saws, Louisville Legion, Montgomery
| True Blues, the Lynchburg Home Guards
and the Troy IN. " Citizens Corps A
brigade from Virginia, regiments and bat
talions from North Carolina, Ohio, Mich.
| gan, Iowa, Kentucky and Rhode Island
are informally entered.
Managing Secretary De Leon hesitates
until after April !, the day fixed for the
| closing of entries. about estimating the
| number of soldiers that will occupy tents
in camp George Washington" but q
rough estimate places the number any
where between ten and twenty thou
| sand